Ginger-Dill Salmon with Cucumber & Avocado Salad

Our Ginger-Dill Salmon with Cucumber & Avocado Salad is a complete meal that’s made for weeknights. The unexpected, but perfectly paired flavors of fresh dill and ginger, along with the heat of the serrano peppers, creates a balanced topping for the omega-3-rich roasted salmon fillets. Smashed cucumbers and diced heart-healthy avocado are tossed in a tangy lime dressing—a bright and fresh accompaniment to the richness of the salmon. Keep reading for our expert tips on why you should smash your cucumbers, smart herb substitutions and more!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Smashing the cucumbers allows them to absorb more of the lime dressing.
• As a shortcut, you can purchase ginger paste.
• If you’re not a fan of dill, cilantro or parsley are excellent alternatives. For added flavor, consider including thinly sliced scallion greens in the salad.
• For best results, let the salmon reach room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking. Allow it to rest after cooking to distribute the juices better and keep the salmon moist and tender.

Nutrition Notes

• Salmon is a versatile and easy-to-find fish that is brimming with nutrition. It’s most often touted for being high in inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a rich source of protein and contains the electrolytes sodium, potassium and magnesium—a great choice for an active lifestyle. 
• Cucumbers are over 95% water, which makes them one of the best hydrating vegetables—great for maintaining healthy skin. They double down on skin health benefits as a source of beta carotene, and are good for healthy vision with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. 
• Creamy avocados take the gold star for nutrition. As a source of monounsaturated fat, they are not only good for your heart, they also help keep you full. You’ll get additional satiety from the fiber that’s packed in each fruit. Add some vitamin C, B vitamins and potassium, and your health will benefit each day you eat one. 
• Extra-virgin olive oil is a great choice for this recipe since the cooking temperature is low and extra-virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point. You’ll be sure to get the rich flavor of the oil coming through. You’ll get even more heart-healthy unsaturated fats when choosing extra-virgin olive oil. This type of oil also has antioxidants, which help protect our cells from damage.